Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism

James K. Hoffmeier

Presents original research on the controversial figure Pharaoh Akhenaten

Argues that Akhenaten was the first monotheist in history

Rejects the theory of any direct connection between Moses and Akhenaten's religion

Argues that the origins of monotheism predates Moses and Hebrew monotheism

Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism

James K. Hoffmeier

Description

Pharaoh Akhenaten, who reigned for seventeen years in the fourteenth century B.C.E, is one of the most intriguing rulers of ancient Egypt. His odd appearance and his preoccupation with worshiping the sun disc Aten have stimulated academic discussion and controversy for more than a century. Despite the numerous books and articles about this enigmatic figure, many questions about Akhenaten and the Atenism religion remain unanswered.

In Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism, James K. Hoffmeier argues that Akhenaten was not, as is often said, a radical advocating a new religion, but rather a primitivist: that is, one who reaches back to a golden age and emulates it. Akhenaten's inspiration was the Old Kingdom (2650-2400 B.C.E.), when the sun-god Re/Atum ruled as the unrivaled head of the Egyptian pantheon. Hoffmeier finds that Akhenaten was a genuine convert to the worship of Aten, the sole creator God, based on the Pharoah's own testimony of a theophany, a divine encounter that launched his monotheistic religious odyssey. The book also explores the Atenist religion's possible relationship to Israel's religion, offering a close comparison of the hymn to the Aten to Psalm 104, which has been identified by scholars as influenced by the Egyptian hymn.

Through a careful reading of key texts, artworks, and archaeological studies, Hoffmeier provides compelling new insights into a religion that predated Moses and Hebrew monotheism, the impact of Atenism on Egyptian religion and politics, and the aftermath of Akhenaten's reign.

Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism

James K. Hoffmeier

Table of Contents

PrefaceAbbreviationsMap

1. When the Sun Ruled Egypt2. Sky and Sun Together3. The Dawn of the Amarna Period4. The Domain of Aten: the Temples of Aten at Karnak5. Finding Aten and Founding Akhet-Aten 6. Aten Alone 7. Is Atenism Monotheism? 8. The Hymns to Aten: A Monotheistic Manifesto 9. The Influence of Atenism in Egypt and the Bible?

Index

Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism

James K. Hoffmeier

Author Information

James K. Hoffmeier was born and raised in Egypt where his passion for the archaeology of Egypt began. During graduate school, he worked with the Akhenaten Temple Project and participated in excavations (1975-1978). From 1999-2008 he directed excavations in North Sinai and in 2005 he discovered unexpected evidence of Akhenaten's religious revolution. Since 1976, Hoffmeier has taught courses on Egyptian history, archaeology, and religion, as well as in the field of Old Testament, and has engaged in research and writing on areas where Egyptology and the Hebrew Bible intersect.

Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism

James K. Hoffmeier

Reviews and Awards

"In the history of ideas one early figure stands out as an initiator of change, Akhenaten, king of Egypt. His attempt to simplify understanding of divine power represents a bold exercise in critical thinking. Hoffmeier's book lays out clearly and authoritatively the historical context and the nature of the prevailing concepts against which Akhenaten reacted." --Barry Kemp, Director, the Amarna Project

"Hoffmeier offers a stimulating and judicious re-evaluation of the many controversial historical issues related to the Amarna Period. Particularly thought-provoking is a new interpretation of the origins of Akhenaten's religious ideas based on a phenomenology of religion approach. Akhenaten's experience is identified as a theophany and is examined against other encounters with the divine found in ancient Near Eastern sources. Exploring the questions of whether Atenism was monotheistic and whether it could have influenced Hebrew monotheism, the book will also be of great interest to Biblical scholars." --Boyo Ockinga, Associate Professor of Ancient History, Macquarie University, Sydney

"James Hoffmeier draws upon the latest scholarly research to inform this new study of Atenism. Well-versed in the religious traditions of Egypt, Israel, and the Near East, Hoffmeier utilizes phenomenological, linguistic, and archaeological approaches to argue that Akhenaten's 'heretical' religion was a potent combination of revelation and revivalism. His own excavations of Atenist remains at the border fortress of Tell el-Borg also bring fresh evidence to bear on ever-intriguing issues." --Ellen Morris, Department of Classics and Ancient Studies, Barnard College

"Hoffmeier does an excellent job placing Akhenaten and his religion in the broader context of the history and religions of the entire ancient Near East. Drawing upon texts, archaeological data (including new evidence from his excavations in the Sinai), architecture, and art, he provides innovative insight on a subject that has been extensively studied by so many others." --Emily Teeter, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago

"Hoffmeier's book provides a fluent read, especially for those who are more or less familiar with Egyptological terminology. All in all, it is an excellent and stimulating contribution and provides a truly in-depth introduction to the religion of Akhenaten's period and its origins." --Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Akhenaten and the Origins of Monotheism is an accessible and lucid handbook to the massive history of scholarship on Akhenaten's religion."-- Paul Allen, Yale University

"It is an excellent and stimulating contribution and provides a truly in-depth introduction to the religion of Akhenaten's period and its origins."--Peter C. Nadig, Freie Universität Berlin